Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-01-07
The Corn Supply.

The understanding of the trade i'm
corn seems 10 be undergoing radical
change i'm regard to the question of
supply. There was a considerable eX-
element early in the summer, due to
the belief that the crop of this year
would prove TO be very short one, but
il gradually died out with IN increasing
conviction that the surplus from the
last crop would be amply sufficient to
make amends for the deficiency. Now
the sentiment is again changing. The
disposition is to think the crop has been
considerably Overcstimatcd bv the stat
istitians. and that it is really poor all
over the corn belt except in Ohio and
Indiana. which states have been ship
ping very freely to the east for the last
few weeks.
The receipts at this point were light,
with very little prospect Of an increase
at present prices. The figures now
offered are not attractive TO the holders
in the country. especially not to those
who can obtain several cents per bushel
more by selling TO feeders near home
or farther west than bv sending il
hther. The surplus of Kansas and
western Nebraska is going 10 Texas
and the cattle ranches OF the west. un-
usually large quantities being wanted
90 supplement the lack of grass feed
owing TO the dryncss OF the summer
season. 1t is now reported that a buy
or option during November was pur-
chased on vast quantities Of corn in
cribs along the western roads. and that
in most cases the buyers have elected
20 take the corn, which accounts for
the extra demand witnessed in this
market within the last few DAYS. Peo-
pie who have surveyed the situation
with experienced eyes express the opin-
ION that the four states which have i'm
other Years stood ut the head IN regard
TO corn-raising will De found this ear
90 have little more than enough for
home needs. No one can deny that the
recent weather has been favorable to
the marketing of corn freely, or that
what there is OF ii is generally cured
into fine condition for the season. Ii
holders wanted to- sell at the prices
offered they have not lacked the oppor-
tuuity.
1t viii probably be found that the
country "a, a whole has enough corn to
tide it over till the time comes round
for gathering another crop. lflhr latest
government estimate is considered too
large bv rs much as 2j0, 600. 900 bushels.
1t will still leave 4 quantity raised this
year equal 10 that which used 10 be al
lowed in the estimate tor the current
consumption of the United States dur
iug twelve months. with the surplus
from 1880 as "a reserve fund to b, drawn
upon for extras. But those extras APP
pear lo bo much larger this year than
the average OF past seasons. There are
more live stock 20 bee ted. and all the
more a- a great many cattle and hogs
are kept back on account of the strike.
while they were already fattcned mp TO
a stage from which they would rapidly
dctcriorate unie,. kept well supplied
with corn. The two dies of the question
would there appear TO be evenly bal
anccd around the conclu, ON that the
country has corn enough and very
Lille to spare. Whether or not it is
worth while. under such coud tion, for
holders 10 keep on selling Il at prices
which paw little more than the freight
to the shipper !, for the parties con-
ccrned to decide Chicago IrtbWlc.